Year after year we load this team up with a ton of guys who can cover kicks. Nothing wrong with that, our kick coverage is good. But year after year we completely ignore the returner position(s). Isn't it about time Jim and Co. that you invested a little time and effort in bringing a stud returner to this team. You have 11 guys (or 10 really) trying to stop the other team's returner. You only have one returning the ball for you. So how about we get a good one for a change._________________

This is what I'm saying. Idk...I think Baalke has too many good bodies. I mean part of it is insurance in case of injuries. But I think its also competion. If Borland is going to make the roster he has to stand out on STs, so you bring in one of the best STs LBers in the league and see how he measures up. Maybe a waste of $ in the end, but you make sure you leave no stone unturned.

But at some point, you can't keep plugging STs roles with vets who take up roster spots. You need younger players in those roles so they can develop. Brock isn't still around to have a break out season last year if he doesnt stick around in 2012 strictly a ST player. So to me, it will be interesting to see if Osgood, Ventrone, and Constanzo end up on the 53. If other guys like Campbell, Johnson, Borland and Moody can step up, you don't need those guys. But there has to be a way guys like Johnson and Lynch stick around. Do you risk them to the waiver wire or do you have a plan in place(IR stash) to dedicate roster spots to younger developmental players or is it really best player wins the roster spot?

This is what I'm saying. Idk...I think Baalke has too many good bodies. I mean part of it is insurance in case of injuries. But I think its also competion. If Borland is going to make the roster he has to stand out on STs, so you bring in one of the best STs LBers in the league and see how he measures up. Maybe a waste of $ in the end, but you make sure you leave no stone unturned.

But at some point, you can't keep plugging STs roles with vets who take up roster spots. You need younger players in those roles so they can develop. Brock isn't still around to have a break out season last year if he doesnt stick around in 2012 strictly a ST player. So to me, it will be interesting to see if Osgood, Ventrone, and Constanzo end up on the 53. If other guys like Campbell, Johnson, Borland and Moody can step up, you don't need those guys. But there has to be a way guys like Johnson and Lynch stick around. Do you risk them to the waiver wire or do you have a plan in place(IR stash) to dedicate roster spots to younger developmental players or is it really best player wins the roster spot?

Why do you think that? With Bowman out we have a wide open spot at starting ILB. Why do you think he won't be in contention for that spot?_________________

Year after year we load this team up with a ton of guys who can cover kicks. Nothing wrong with that, our kick coverage is good. But year after year we completely ignore the returner position(s). Isn't it about time Jim and Co. that you invested a little time and effort in bringing a stud returner to this team. You have 11 guys (or 10 really) trying to stop the other team's returner. You only have one returning the ball for you. So how about we get a good one for a change.

I'm questioning whether it's really a returner problem.. whoever we put out there seems to turn into Captain Fair Catch. Is it because the returner isn't confident in his ability, or because there is poor blocking in front of him? We haven't had a return TD either on punts or kickoffs since week 1 of 2011, right? It has to be about more than the returner._________________

Year after year we load this team up with a ton of guys who can cover kicks. Nothing wrong with that, our kick coverage is good. But year after year we completely ignore the returner position(s). Isn't it about time Jim and Co. that you invested a little time and effort in bringing a stud returner to this team. You have 11 guys (or 10 really) trying to stop the other team's returner. You only have one returning the ball for you. So how about we get a good one for a change.

I'm questioning whether it's really a returner problem.. whoever we put out there seems to turn into Captain Fair Catch. Is it because the returner isn't confident in his ability, or because there is poor blocking in front of him? We haven't had a return TD either on punts or kickoffs since week 1 of 2011, right? It has to be about more than the returner.

I think it's just one more thing that's reflective of what I like least about our coaching staff. They are all about not making mistakes, than about being able to make big plays. I think they're perfectly happy with a guy that just holds on to the ball and takes the fair catch or touchback, and doesn't risk muffing the kick or fumbling it when he's tackled.

I know that approach works well over the course of a season where you face a lot of weak or average teams. But we have clearly been lacking in fire power in the last game of the year for us all three of the past three seasons. I've been saying it for a season and a half at least. We play not to lose, rather than to win._________________

Maybe this will ultimately free up one of our WR spots so we can keep an extra receiver instead of Osgood.

But why sign Osgood at all then? Costanzo was availabe when we signed Osgood so they could have went that route without signing him.

Costanzo was signed after June 1st so he wouldn't count against any potential comp picks we might receive in 2015, assuming he signed above the vet min. Also, why not have competition? Osgood and Costanzo fighting for potentially one spot makes this team better._________________And on the eighth day, God created Iowa.

Matt Barrows ‏@mattbarrows 1m
Costanzo is a special teams standout. He also plays inside linebacker, adding to the mix of players at that spot. Deal is for one year.

Quote:

Jeff Deeney ‏@PFF_Jeff 1m
Blake Costanzo's +6.0 special teams grade in 2013 was highest on the Bears among non-specialists. #49ers

Interesting tidbit about PFF... they had CJ Spillman with a -10.0 special teams grade and Kassim Osgood as a -5.0. I didn't really expect Osgood to make the team this year, but I wonder how secure Spillman's spot is?_________________

Matt Barrows ‏@mattbarrows 1m
Costanzo is a special teams standout. He also plays inside linebacker, adding to the mix of players at that spot. Deal is for one year.

Quote:

Jeff Deeney ‏@PFF_Jeff 1m
Blake Costanzo's +6.0 special teams grade in 2013 was highest on the Bears among non-specialists. #49ers

Interesting tidbit about PFF... they had CJ Spillman with a -10.0 special teams grade and Kassim Osgood as a -5.0. I didn't really expect Osgood to make the team this year, but I wonder how secure Spillman's spot is?

I don't trust PFF's grades, in general, and this is another situation why. Maybe they downgrade them in plays where others made great plays, but I saw Osgood and Spillman both make giant plays a number of times last season, and when Osgood was inactive, it was clear to see the impact of that.

That said, Osgood isn't effected by this move. He's a gunner on Special Teams, and Costanzo is not. More effected by this move would be one or two of Dahl/Ventrone/Spillman, and I might say in that order._________________

I don't trust PFF's grades, in general, and this is another situation why. Maybe they downgrade them in plays where others made great plays, but I saw Osgood and Spillman both make giant plays a number of times last season, and when Osgood was inactive, it was clear to see the impact of that.

That said, Osgood isn't effected by this move. He's a gunner on Special Teams, and Costanzo is not. More effected by this move would be one or two of Dahl/Ventrone/Spillman, and I might say in that order.

Yeah, PFF grades can be misleading, but it was something that stood out to me, because Spillman was rated, not just low, but as one of the worst special teamers in the league.

As for who it effects, I think it'll effect mostly Nick Moody or possibly Ventrone as the punt protector. Osgood AND Spillman are both gunners, so I don't think Costanzo is really competing with them. However, the reason I don't expect Osgood back, and possibly Spillman, is because I think one of the young DBs (Ward, Morris, Acker) will win one or both of those gunner spots._________________